Diner’s Diary

Michelin confirms Hong Kong & Macau guide is sponsored, but by companies not the cities’ tourism boards

Contradicting report that quoted her as saying Hong Kong and Macau tourism boards paid for publication of Michelin Guide, publisher’s vice-president says it is sponsored by firms including Nespresso, Melco Resorts, and Evian

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Claire Dorland-Clauzel, Michelin vice-president, initially confirmed the Hong Kong and Macau tourism boards sponsored the Michelin Guide to the two cities, but then clarified the sponsors were businesses. Photo: AFP

Bernice Chan is a former SCMP Culture writer who is now based in Vancouver, Canada, where she writes compelling stories about food and drink, lifestyle, wellness and the Asian diaspora.

Published: 1:01pm, 1 Dec 2017Updated: 1:01pm, 1 Dec 2017

The 2018 edition of the Michelin Hong Kong and Macau guide was released on Thursday, but there wasn’t much to get excited about. Eight restaurants were awarded a first Michelin star, although Kaiseki Den by Saotomi had previously had a star when it was called Wagyu Kaiseki Den, and Tate had a star at its previous location in SoHo (it recently moved to a larger space on Hollywood Road).

Then there were some choices that raised eyebrows – Jing Yee Club received its first star after being open for only three months. And Amber seems to be the perennial bridesmaid, having been awarded two stars for 10 years in a row. Culinary director Richard Ekkebus quipped: “Well at least we’re really consistent!”

What about giving nods to places like Haku and Franzen’s Kitchen?

Kaiseki Den by Saotomi in Wan Chai. It first earned a Michelin star under a previous name. Photo: Jonathan Wong

We may never know because the Michelin inspectors seem to work in mysterious ways.

However, we did manage to clarify one thing – the Michelin Hong Kong and Macau guide IS commissioned – by several private sponsors.